15. The Research Process

Best tips for the research process:

-Start checking things out from the library right away. There are many research options that are integral to your research so you want to start the research process as quickly as possible.
-have a thesis in your head, but then don't be afraid to change it based on what your research shows you.
-Have a lot of people look over your paper and advise you during the writing process. This way, you don't spend so much time moving in a direction that makes your paper too broad.
-Space out your working time. If you think "I'm going to write out my whole 8 page paper tonight" then you'll get overwhelmed so make small goals like we did when we had 2 pages due every class period.

What I would like to change about this research project:

- start the research process a long time before we start getting our thesis because I ended up changing my topic and so all the research and annotated bibliography that I completed weren't necessary to my research anymore.
-I would like an outline of expectations for this project so I can pace myself instead of having the class do it for me.
-More organized scheduling so I know what is due when.
-Maybe a few more examples of research papers in the past so I can understand how the family story is supposed to tie into my research
-Have us start the research paper and get all the research done before we write our family story because once I started doing research I decided to go in a different direction and had to change the family story as well.

14. Funnest Things to do On-Campus

So I've compiled a list of my favorite activities from my time spent here these last two semesters

-The activity room in the bottom of building 14 has ping-pong, pool, and foosball so if you've ever got 10 minutes to spare, all you need is your net ID and they'll lend you the materials you need to play. It's a great stress reliever and if your dad is super competitive like mine is then it's also good practice for our next tournament.
-playing racquetball at the rb is something I discovered this semester because I'm in a racqetball class so my boyfriend and I usually go there once a week to play. Way fun.
-The campus of BYU is beautiful without a doubt so you can go pretty much anywhere for a nice walk, but I really like going to the duck pond behind the Maizer building. Bring some bread and you just might make a duck friend.
-The volleyball courts next to Helaman Halls will remind you of hot summers set at the beach and is always a fun FHE activity. Further, if you're feeling home sick and are from a coastal state they'll bring you a taste of home.
-Almost every floor in Heritage Halls has a piano room and I've loved going to de-stress by playing Disney soundtracks, oldies, and hymns. It's a very calming exercise when homework gets to overwhelming.
-In the bottom of the Wilkinson Center there's a casual restaurant next to the bowling alley called 'The Wall' and my roommate and I got a coupon for a free ice cream with cookie dough in it. It was so good! I'll definitely visit again.
-The theater in the Wilkinson Center periodically plays great movies for $1. I've enjoyed Moanna and Fantastic Beasts in there this semester. Make sure to come early because it's first come first serve and you don't want to get stuck behind someone from the basketball team (aka a tall man).

(Roommates and FHE brothers at a football game)

13. Most Effective Study Skills

- Actually go to the reviews
- Do all the readings the professor has assigned
- Talk to someone about concepts to help solidify knowledge and to help memorize the extensive material
- Don't get behind on readings or projects - space out projects, papers, and studying so you have enough time to put in quality work and don't have to pay that pesky five dollar late fee that I've paid more than a few times
- Make a plan on how to most effectively study based on how that class is graded (e.g. will you be able to memorize everything, just know the broad picture of something, or know the material inside and out and be able to apply it?
- Create a word document or google docs with all the stories you'll have to know or main concepts and then a separate word doc with all the vocabulary.
-Make a list of questions you're confused about and take it to the TA lab and have them explain the concept to you
- Go to the TA labs and review tests from last unit
- Come to class prepared having all your readings done for that day so you won't get to class and get really confused.
- Get a study group together and use it frequently before tests.
- Use memorization tricks or mnemonic devices to help you recall either words or ideas
- Remember to not get too stressed that you just blow off all your work. Instead, think about it in a positive way that motivates you instead of shuts you down.

12. Research Paper (Revised Thesis)

Upon looking at all of the research and work that had been done on the sexual abuse of children, I decided that too many people had researched on the outcomes and tendencies of the abused parties. They don't have as much research on the psychological tendencies of abused individuals and the thought processes that help them make decisions. Because I'm interested in psychological aspects that are behind the bad decisions or the thoughts we have about our character and how we've come to that conclusion. And I've found that we develop certain truths about ourselves, the world around us, and the people in our lives that govern how we perceive the world around us. This is the case with normal children as well as children who have been abused, but this is why children behave in the way they do. For instance, abused children often have problems with authority figures because they don't perceive them as caring guardians who are supposed to protect them. Instead, they associate all authority figures with their parents and believe all adults are there to take advantage of them when that is often not the case. Further, many abused children have learned behaviors that show up in their life, but it's the psychological aspect of it that holds them captive. A son who has grown up to be strong enough to overpower his mother who has been beating him since he was little will not stand up to her because he has grown accustomed to cowering in fear whenever his mother is near. This behavior is called learned helplessness. There are many different concepts I have yet to find and I look forward to delving into this research topic more fully and finding out exactly which thought processes precede which actions.

11. Brainstorming for Research Paper

-ADHD, ADD, codependence, and the effects each have on growing children throughout their adolescence

-Why it's a good thing that parents pass on their struggles to their children because they know how to best handle it.

-Traditions of different cultures and how it affects thoughts about oneself (community versus selfishness)

-Religion in the home and how it affects self-esteem 

-Addictions that run in the family

-Prisoners of war

-Importance of a mentor character

-Effects of having only boys in family or oldest child mindset versus youngest

-Hormone imbalances on life

-Great depressions' effect on 'The Greatest Generation' mindset

-War's effect on career choices and what is valued

-common logical fallacies

-Religion's role in family development and relationship with spouse

-Music's ability to help someone learn

-Obamacare pros and cons and how it effects small business owners

-Political affiliation in reference to parent's political affiliation

-College study techniques

10. My World View

These last few years, my stereotype of people in general has been altered significantly. I used to think that everyone was always doing good all the time and that I was the only one who was really struggling with anything. It certainly seemed that way from very surfacey interactions including small talk as well as happy faces on social media I'd grown accustomed to. I think I was also a little too self-centered to really look outside myself long enough to realize that underneath the happy exterior, many were going through heart-breaking challenges everyday. Through advice from my mother, I began to talk more deeply with friends and try to feel compassion for their trials. The more I listened and prayed to feel empathy, the more I desired to help.

I think this was a big turning point in my life because after this realization, I wasn't always worried about what others were thinking of me. Instead, I was looking around to see if I could offer assistance to anyone in need. I felt my heart begin to expand and I started to genuinely care about those around me. I began to understand the love Christ has for each and every one of his children because I could feel it whenever I served anyone. I then took it one step further and thought this must be how Christ loves me. This changed my perspective on so many things. I started praying more regularly because I knew He wanted to hear from me, I relied on his guidance because I knew He'd steer me in the best direction, and I was more motivated to keep His commandments because I knew that would bring me the most happiness. These little epiphanies throughout my life have completely altered the way I view life, the gospel, and people in general. I am a happier and more service-oriented person than I ever thought I would be. I think my findings can be summed up into one verse "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" (D&C 18:10). If we remember that every human being on earth is a child of God as well as our brothers and sisters, we'll be more apt to lend a helping hand and really feel of the love Christ has for each of his children. I know because I've felt it and there's not a more peaceful feeling in the world.

                                         

9. Chapter 12 Summary of Mindful Writing

Chapter 12 Summary of Mindful Writing

- Ask questions while reading including: What does it have in common with my previous knowledge, do I agree with what they're saying, what anecdotes are similar, exc. We do this because it's priming. It is better learned and more durably remembered.
- Various texts in various situations require various reading strategies
- Be aware of who writers are, why they wrote this, when they wrote it, their purpose, rhetorical strategies, and how they constructed an experience for their readers.
- Remember that you can question what the authors are saying
- If we think about how we're approaching our learning, we act with greater purpose, and skill.
- Set goals to focus on how you'll be reading- reward after
- Social goals- talk to someone about what you're reading
- Instead of highlighting, write off to the side why you're highlighting it. Ask questions in margins.
- Sometimes reading is not about every nit-picky detail. It's more about the the big picture so skip some things.
- Summarize: main point, argument, conclusion, message, theme
- Retrieval or self- quizzing after reading
- Be an active learner and don't space out. Remind yourself why you're reading in the first place.
- Reflect on what you just read
- Build a learning process that works for you